Polymeric rings

ABSTRACT

Polymeric rings may be provided with an inner band formed of a polymeric material; and an outer band attached to the inner band and defining a channel about an inner circumference thereof, such that the inner band is uniformly disposed within the channel. In some embodiments, the outer band has a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter and defines a channel of a channel diameter, greater than the first inner diameter, in an inner surface of the outer band, the channel having a cross-sectional shape and a mating surface; and an inner band having a second outer diameter substantially equal to the channel diameter and a second inner diameter substantially equal to the first inner diameter, the inner band having the cross-sectional shape, the inner band being disposed in the channel and having a roughened outer surface attached to the mating surface of the channel.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/355,954 entitled “POLYMERIC RINGS” and filed on 2022 Jun. 27, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

Described herein are rings formed of one or more polymeric materials.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a ring composed of two polymeric bands in which the one or more of the mating surfaces are textured to facilitate stronger bonding between the surfaces of the bands when attaching outer and inner bands.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosed method and apparatus are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures. The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the figures and description. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a silicone ring with an inner band and an outer band, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a silicone ring with an inner band and an outer band, with a view of the axial cross section according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A-2C illustrate exploded views of a silicone ring with an inner band and an outer band, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of a segment of the inner band that has been flattened to display relevant features thereof, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides for polymeric rings, in which at least two bands are bonded to form a ring. One of the bands is an outer band and the other is an inner band. In some embodiments the ring may have a stiffening band located between the inner band and the outer band.

The outer band may be a separate color from the inner band, and either band may be any of a broad assortment of colors, so as to appeal to the style and aesthetics of the wearer. In some embodiments, these rings can be worn on an appendage such as a finger or toe. In other embodiments, these rings can be fabricated on a necklace or worn as an earring.

The outer band may also be adorned on the outer surface with printed media, for further stylistic appeal or branding purposes or have various insets included therein. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the inner band, the inner surface of the outer band, or both are textured, which allows for superior adhesion and bonding between the inner and outer bands, resulting in a final product with greater structural integrity.

In some embodiments, the inner surface of the inner band is also textured, albeit in a different manner than the outer surface of the inner band. The inner surface of the inner band has indented grooves, such as to allow moisture, vapors, and heat expelled from the skin of the wearer escape from under the ring, and prevents such expulsions from being contained against the skin of the wearer, thereby reducing discomfort.

FIG. 1A illustrates a polymeric ring 100 with an inner band 120 and an outer band 110. In some embodiments, the ring 100 also includes a stiffener ring located between the inner band 120 and outer band 110.

In some embodiments, the outer band 110 can be over-molded on top of the inner band 120.

In some embodiments, the outer band 110 can be heat welded to the inner band 120.

In some embodiments, the outer band 110 can be glued to the inner band 120.

In some embodiments, polymeric materials used in the bands can include, but are not limited to rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone polymers, thermoplastics, thermosets, polyolefins, polyisobutylene, acrylic polymers, ethylene-co-vinylacetate, polybutylmethacrylate, vinyl halide polymers (for example, polyvinyl chloride), polyvinyl ethers (for example, polyvinyl methyl ether), polyvinylidene halides, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinyl aromatics, polyvinyl esters, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, ABS resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyamides (for example, Nylon 66 and polycaprolactam), alkyd resins, polycarbonates, polyoxymethylenes, polyimides, polyethers, epoxy resins, polyurethanes, rayon, cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellophane, cellulose nitrate, cellulose propionate, cellulose ethers, carboxymethyl cellulose, poly(ether-ether-ketone), polytetrafluororethylene (for example, Teflon) and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, metals if used can include, but are not limited to aluminum, titanium, zinc, platinum, tantalum, copper, nickel, rhodium, gold, silver, palladium, chromium, iron, indium, ruthenium, osmium, tin, iridium, or combinations and alloys thereof.

In some embodiments, inner band 120 and outer band 110 can be formed of the same polymeric materials. In other embodiments, inner band 120 and outer band 110 are formed of different polymeric materials. In some embodiments, inner band 120 and/or outer band 110 can include a metal.

In some embodiments, a stiffener ring can be formed of metal or include metal.

FIG. 1B illustrates a silicone ring with an inner band and an outer band, with a view of the axial cross section of the ring 100, such that cross sections of the inner band 120 and outer band 110 are viewable. In the present embodiment, the fundamental shape of the cross section of the inner band 120 is a rectangle, and the fundamental shape of the outer band 110 is a stadium, with a rectangle subtracted from the bottom of the stadium such that the rectangle of the inner band can be disposed within it.

FIG. 2A-C illustrates an exploded view of the polymeric ring 100, such that inner band 120 and outer band 110 are separated and relevant features of each are viewable.

The inner radius of outer band 110 forms a channel 112 on the inner surface thereof, such that when inner band 120 is disposed within channel 112 the edges and surfaces of inner band 120 and outer band 110 are flush with one another.

Inner band 120 has an outer surface 222 and an inner surface 224.

In FIG. 2A, the outer surface 222 of the inner band 120 is textured to have a non-smooth surface, such that when the inner band 120 is bonded to the outer band 110, the texture facilitates the bonding action, resulting in a stronger bond.

In FIG. 2B, the surface of the channel 112 of the outer band 110 is textured to have a non-smooth surface, such that when the inner band 120 is bonded to the outer band 110, the texture facilitates the bonding action, resulting in a stronger bond.

In FIG. 2C, both the outer surface 222 of the inner band 120 and the surface of the channel 112 of the outer band 110 are textured to have a non-smooth surface, such that when the inner band 120 is bonded to the outer band 110, the texture facilitates the bonding action, resulting in a stronger bond.

FIG. 3 represents a section of inner band 120, wherein the inner surface 224 is shown, and relevant features are viewable. Indentations are imposed within the inner surface 224 such that a continuous groove 320 is circumnavigating the entire inner surface 224, though only segmented view is included in the present disclosure. Disposed within the groove 320 are islands 330 that arise from the trough of the groove 320. The surfaces of the islands 330 are level with inner surface 224.

According to the present embodiment, the islands 330 are disposed at regular intervals, the pattern of which is continued about the inner circumference of the inner band 120. The islands 330 are hexagonal, and the pattern in which they are disposed is regular and continuous, however in other embodiments, the islands 330 may take any number of shapes, or the pattern thereof may only partially extend about the inner circumference of inner band 120.

The term “textured”, as used herein, refers to a surface that is not smooth. Textured surfaces can include surfaces that are sanded, cut, etched, or the like as long as the surface is not considered smooth. In fact, it is believed that textured surfaces are believed to bond together better than smooth surfaces.

In some embodiments, an inner silicone ring is provided. The outer surface of that inner band is sanded to roughen its outer surface. An outer silicone ring is over-molded onto the inner band. The over-molding bonds the inner band and the outer band.

In some embodiments, an inner silicone ring is provided. The outer surface of that inner band is etched to roughen its outer surface and an adhesive is applied to that roughened surface. An outer silicone ring is stretched over the inner band. The adhesive bonds the inner band and the outer band.

In some embodiments, an inner silicone ring is provided. The outer surface of that inner band is cut laterally to roughen its outer surface. A stiffener ring is inserted around the outer surface of inner band. An outer silicone ring is over-molded onto the inner and stiffener rings. The over-molding bonds the inner band and the outer band with the stiffener ring between them.

In some embodiments, an inner silicone ring is provided. The outer surface of that inner band is etched to roughen its outer surface and an adhesive is applied to that roughened surface. An outer silicone ring with an inner surface that is also etched is stretched over the inner band. The adhesive bonds the inner band and the outer band.

Certain terms are used throughout the description and the claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not function.

As used herein, “about,” “approximately” and “substantially” are understood to refer to numbers in a range of the referenced number, for example the range of −10% to +10% of the referenced number, preferably −5% to +5% of the referenced number, more preferably −1% to +1% of the referenced number, most preferably −0.1% to +0.1% of the referenced number.

Furthermore, all numerical ranges herein should be understood to include all integers, whole numbers, or fractions, within the range. Moreover, these numerical ranges should be construed as providing support for a claim directed to any number or subset of numbers in that range. For example, a disclosure of from 1 to 10 should be construed as supporting a range of from 1 to 8, from 3 to 7, from 1 to 9, from 3.6 to 4.6, from 3.5 to 9.9, and so forth.

As used in the present disclosure, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any set of those items, including sets with a single member, and every potential combination thereof. For example, when referencing “at least one of A, B, or C” or “at least one of A, B, and C”, the phrase is intended to cover the sets of: A, B, C, A-B, B-C, and A-B-C, where the sets may include one or multiple instances of a given member (e.g., A-A, A-A-A, A-A-B, A-A-B-B-C-C-C, etc.) and any ordering thereof. For avoidance of doubt, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” shall not be interpreted to mean “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C”.

As used in the present disclosure, the term “determining” encompasses a variety of actions that may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., via a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), retrieving, resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to use the claimed inventions to their fullest extent. The examples and aspects disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described examples without departing from the underlying principles discussed. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the examples specifically disclosed in the description above are within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, any suitable combination of features of the various examples described is contemplated.

Within the claims, reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated as such, but rather as “one or more” or “at least one”. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. No claim element is to be construed under the provision of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for”. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described in the present disclosure that are known or come later to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims 

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A ring, comprising: an inner band formed of a polymeric material; and an outer band attached to the inner band and defining a channel about an inner circumference thereof, such that the inner band is uniformly disposed within the channel.
 2. The ring of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the inner band is textured to have a non-smooth surface prior to attachment with the outer band.
 3. The ring of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the outer band is textured to have a non-smooth surface prior to attachment with the inner band.
 4. The ring of claim 1, wherein the outer band is attached to the inner band by over-molding the outer band around the inner band.
 5. The ring of claim 1 wherein the outer band is attached to the inner band by heat welding the outer band around the inner band.
 6. The ring of claim 1, wherein the outer band is made of the polymeric material.
 7. The ring of claim 1 wherein the inner band has a first color or pattern of colors and the outer band has a second color or pattern of colors, different from the first color or pattern of colors.
 8. The ring of claim 1 wherein the inner band defines a grooved inner surface.
 9. The ring of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the inner band and the channel defined about an inner circumference of the outer band is substantially rectangular.
 10. A ring, comprising: an outer band formed of a polymeric material; and an inner band, attached uniformly to the outer band within a channel defined on an inner surface of the outer band.
 11. The ring of claim 10, wherein an outer surface of the inner band is textured to have a non-smooth surface prior to attachment with the outer band.
 12. The ring of claim 10, wherein an inner surface of the outer band is textured to have a non-smooth surface prior to attachment with the inner band.
 13. The ring of claim 10, wherein the outer band is attached to the inner band by over-molding the outer band around the inner band.
 14. The ring of claim 10, wherein the outer band is attached to the inner band by heat welding the outer band around the inner band.
 15. The ring of claim 10, wherein the outer band is made of the polymeric material.
 16. The ring of claim 10, wherein the inner band has a first color or pattern of colors and the outer band has a second color or pattern of colors, different from the first color or pattern of colors.
 17. The ring of claim 10, wherein the inner band defines a grooved inner surface.
 18. The ring of claim 10, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the inner band and the channel defined about an inner circumference of the outer band is substantially rectangular.
 19. A ring, comprising: an outer band having a first outer diameter and a first inner diameter and defining a channel of a channel diameter, greater than the first inner diameter, in an inner surface of the outer band, the channel having a cross-sectional shape and a mating surface; and an inner band having a second outer diameter substantially equal to the channel diameter and a second inner diameter substantially equal to the first inner diameter, the inner band being formed of a polymeric material and having the cross-sectional shape, the inner band being disposed in the channel and having a roughened outer surface attached to the mating surface of the channel.
 20. The ring of claim 19, wherein the outer band is attached to the inner band by over-molding the outer band around the inner band. 